Burnt housewife faces a future of uncertainty 777

Radharani at MMCH

The family of a Mymensingh woman, who was burnt by her in-laws early this month and is taking treatment in hospital, have alleged that she received threats by her husband and was asked to withdraw the case against his family.

Radharani Chowhan, 24, is recovering in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH). She got married to clothing shop employee Arun Chowhan, of Mymensingh's Haluaghat upazila, six years ago, but his family had long been torturing her to squeeze Tk 1 lakh from her as dowry, alleged her family.

On November 3, Arun's father Sreeprasad Chowhan threw a pot of hot curry into her face when Radha was cooking in the kitchen. Arun took her to MMCH but fled soon after her admission, the family added.

Radha said that after her in-laws were sued, Arun visited the hospital thrice with his friends and asked her to withdraw the case.

 “If you don't withdraw the case, you must face dire consequences,” she quoted Arun as telling her.

“We already informed the police outpost at MMCH and Haluaghat Police Station of the threats,” said Radha's cousin Chandan Chowhan.

“We filed a case against Arun's parents and younger brother but we spared Arun considering the future of Radha but our sympathy went in vain,” lamented Chandan. “Now we are passing days in fear.”

Radha is daughter of late Harilal Chowhan of Sherpur's Nalitabari upazila. After the attack and then threats, she is worried about where to go once the hospital releases her after recovery.

“My father died, so the family now depends on my elder brother Sanjib Chowhan's meagre income. I would be a great burden for him,” the helpless Radha told this correspondent at MMCH yesterday. “Sanjib, a worker at a sweetmeat shop, has already to support a family of four.”

Radha's family said there was no way she could return to her in-law's house and demanded immediate arrest of Arun and punishment for the torturers.

A Mymensingh court sent Arun's father Sreeprasad and mother Joysna Chowhan to jail after their arrest on November 6, said Md Kamrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Haluaghat Police Station.

Radha's husband Arun told The Daily Star that he never visited the hospital after admission of his wife. “I took Radha to hospital but I had to leave the hospital as my in-laws did not permit me to stay there.”

He also termed the attack an “accident”.

Radha sustained seven percent burns on her body but she is out of danger, according to doctors.